Detective Comics #379

Issue Details

Synopsis

TWO KILLING FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! The story opens with Chino firing a gun on the dynamic duo. Batman swings down on top of Chino but Chino kicks him off and he falls into the bay. Chino then phones Salvo to inform him that he has disposed of Batman but Salvo tells him that Batman is lying dead on his roof. He then sees Batman come alive on his monitor as he punches an imposter Robin. Batman escapes with the help of the Batcopter and rushes to pier 21 to assist the real Robin. Salvo also rushes to the pier with the intention of eliminating Chino who he feels has gotten out of hand. Chino pulls Robin back to safety from a hanging hook and informs Robin that he intends to collect the bounty money on Batman’s head. The Batcopter arrives to Chinos surprise. He is shocked to see Batman climb out and begins to fire at him. They subdue Chino and then fish Alfred out of the water. It is revealed that he was the one that fell into the bay dressed as Batman and acted as a decoy. While Batman and Robin rescue Alfred, Chino makes a getaway in the Batmobile. As he is getting away, he smashes the Batmobile into Salvos car. Salvo and his thugs fire on Chino but he is quickly rescued by Batman and Robin. Batman announces that he will do his best to acquire clemency for Chino. Later in commissioner Gordon’s office, Gordon reveals that he has found a worthy couple to adopt Chino. Chino is touched and vows to make his new parents proud of him. THE ELONGATED MAN’S MAGIC MOMENT! Zatara the Magician is demonstrating magic tricks at his shop when two thugs attack him. They apparently want Zatara to assist them with a bank vault heist. Before losing consciousness Zatara mutters a magic phrase sending for Ralph Dibney. In the meantime Ralph Elongated Man Dibney is at the park flying a kite with his wife and nephew Robby. He is suddenly encased by a mysterious white cloud and he accidentally lets go of the kite much to the dismay of his nephew Robby. The cloud disappears but it sets off Dibneys twitching nose. Unbeknownst to Dibney, the cloud has bestowed him with magical abilities. Ralph and his wife take their nephew to the store to buy another kite. Ralph reads the sign above the store which seems to say Lion appear spelled out backwards. As soon as he utters the phrase a lion appears in front of him. He inadvertently utters the phrase once more and a second lion appears. Quick thinking Dibney then gets out a writing pad and writes out the phrase “Lions Disappears”. He utters this phrase backwards and the lions quickly disappear. Dibney deduces that this incident must have occurred because of Zatara. He changes into his uniform and writes out the phrase “Contact Zatara”. As soon as he utters this backwards he is transported to Zataras location bumping heads with him. As soon as the thugs see Dibney appear they begin firing at him. Elongated Man ensnares the crooks with his elongated fingers and knocks them by slamming them with a long table. Dibney then utters the phrase “Zatara wake up” backwards and this causes the magician to gain consciousness. Zatara thanks Dibney and takes away his magical abilities. Dibney asks Zatara how he utters those backwards phrases so fast and Zatara responds by saying he has over 30 years practice.